Supporting Cast
Sometimes episodes will focus on specific Player Characters who are far away from the other PCs at the table. They might have been captured by opposing forces, leading a warband deep into enemy territory, or at a distant court vying to secure a much-needed alliance. When an episode calls for a focus that would leave out other PCs, this is the perfect time to bring in Supporting Cast.
Supporting Cast are quickly-created characters that are built to fit into the story being told; they can be squires, diplomats, ladies-in-waiting, mercenaries, thieves, anything that fits into the current episode's storyline. Best of all, they can be created on the fly, filling in their abilities as you play them and determine where their Strengths might lie. Over time, Supporting Cast can be come fully-fledged characters, if you wish.
After the end of Session 4, the Supporting Cast is considered to be a Player Character, with three Distinctions, three attributes ranked d8 or higher, fifteen skill advances, and five advances spent on Relationships, Reputations, Signature Assets or Resources. They now advance as indicated in Character Advancement . The Sessions they have participated in prior to their promotion are still considered legitimate and can be used for Callbacks or spent on Advances.
Supporting Cast are quickly-created characters that are built to fit into the story being told; they can be squires, diplomats, ladies-in-waiting, mercenaries, thieves, anything that fits into the current episode's storyline. Best of all, they can be created on the fly, filling in their abilities as you play them and determine where their Strengths might lie. Over time, Supporting Cast can be come fully-fledged characters, if you wish.
- To create a Supporting Character, grab a standard character sheet and start with their Distinction. They only get one, which is their character concept in a single sentence; Mercenary with a Heart of Gold, Dunefalle Diplomat In A Strange Land, Quick-Witted Gutter Thief. Give it a d8 rating. Each Distinction always begins with the Hinder SFX.
- Supporting Characters start with a d8 in one Attribute, and a d6 in the rest. They may raise another attribute to d8 if they begin play with a d4 in a different attribute. However, you don't need to decide what the attributes are rated until you need to roll them the first time. Once your first d8 has been assigned, the rest of your attributes are assumed to be a d6 unless you set another to a d4.
- Supporting Characters also begin with two skills tied to their Distinction stepped up by one rank. You then have five Skill points to spend as you play, deciding your skill levels as you go. Did you suddenly decide that your Supporting Character is a decent rider? Spend two of your skill levels to set their Animal Handling to d8. You can only make changes before the Skills are rolled, not after, so spend wisely! No skill can be stepped up beyond d10 at character creation.
- Supporting Characters also receive two points to spend on stepping up Signature Assets, Relationships, Reputations and Resources as needed during their debut episode. Any unspent advances from any category must be spent at the end of the session if they are to be featured again.
Becoming a Recurring Guest Star
When your Supporting Character starts showing up more often, they continue to be fleshed out, session by session. After being created during a first session, you may continue to advance them in the following way:- Session 2 - Add another Distinction at d8. Increase a d6 Attribute to a d8. Spend three more Skill Advances (capped at d10.) Gain another advance for Signature Assets, Resources, Reputations or Relationships. Unlock one SFX for a Distinction of your choice.
- Session 3 - Increase a d6 Attribute to a d8. Spend two more Skill Advances (capped at d10.) Gain another advance for Signature Assets, Resources, Reputations or Relationships.
- Session 4 - Add another Distinction at d8. Spend three more Skill Advances (capped at d10.) Gain one more advance for Signature Assets, Resources, Reputations or Relationships. Unlock one SFX for a Distinction of your choice.
After the end of Session 4, the Supporting Cast is considered to be a Player Character, with three Distinctions, three attributes ranked d8 or higher, fifteen skill advances, and five advances spent on Relationships, Reputations, Signature Assets or Resources. They now advance as indicated in Character Advancement . The Sessions they have participated in prior to their promotion are still considered legitimate and can be used for Callbacks or spent on Advances.
